Consider results of a study of a stance control knee ankle foot orthosis (SC_KAFO) that was fit to a 40-year old soldier who sustained a non-shrapnel concussive injury resulting in nerve root damage to left L3-5. The patient presented with an absence of proprioception and light touch with grossly 3/5 strength in the left lower extremity. All other extremities demonstrated normal function. Due to the severe proprioceptive loss the incidence of falling from knee buckling necessitated the use of a stabilizing orthosis.

Review results of a case study that presents the first reported use of Stance Control KAFOs in combination with an isocentric RGO in a patient with at T10 spinal cord injury. A comparison is made between the scenarios of having the knees locked during the entire gait cycle to that of allowing the knees to flex freely during the swing phase, yet still be locked for stability during stance.

Test reports from several experimental stance control orthosis (SCO) systems have demonstrated a range of potential benefits. However, these reports have all studied subjects shortly after receiving their SCO. With one exception there are no reports in the literature that document gait changes over time. The objective of this report is to document the results of a prospective six-month open label clinical field trial of a novel SCO. We hypothesized that there would be improvements in gait over time.

Learn to develop a modular prosthetic component that will allow the growing elderly TF population the benefits of suction suspension by eliminating the primary difficulty associated with donning.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each design with regard to swing and stance phase control. Materials, mechanism design, fluid flow, and stability will be featured in the comparison with conventional linear systems.

Quantifying the amount of turning that occurs during ADL’s may enable the patient to improve in their abilities to perform daily activities. Discuss how clinical practice generally focuses on straight ahead walking.

Discuss potential definitions of socket comfort as a first step toward the development of comprehensive objective outcomes measures for the quality prostheses and orthoses.

Review the biomechanics of voluntary control in advanced microprocessor knee design.

Common devices and deviations are described along with suggestions for possible corrective action including physical conditioning, as indicated, as well as alignment and componentry modifications.

Review the lower limb guidelines and how those principles are challenged when using specific componentry choices.

Explore the outcomes of direct pressure casting and manufacturing of prosthetic sockets (ICEX).

Gain an understanding of the thermal environment and the patient’s perception of the thermal discomfort. This is a fundamental step towards developing new socket systems that could address this problem.

Review study results that recorded the ability of the conventional halo (CH), the non-invasive halo (NIH) and the standard two piece cervical collar to restrict motion in both a C1-2 and C5-6 global instability model.

Consider results of a 52 patient preliminary study that suggests the L.A. Brace is an effective alternative to current bracing systems while avoiding some of the obstacles and orthotist subjectivity involved in traditional scoliosis bracing.

Assess the clinical efficacy of a non-invasive halo in a small series of patients with cervical spine trauma.

Review clinical experience in dynamic scoliosis management to see if this is a viable alternative to current treatment approaches.

Discuss if CAD CAM is the ideal way to treat spinal deformities through case study review results.

This wound care modality has received some media attention and orthotic and prosthetic clients may question their health care providers about this therapy. Gain a general background about MDT and its indications and applications.

Review current carbon technology. Gain an understanding of existing carbon materials as well as limitations to strength and comfort.

Obtain the background on the development of O&P rehabilitation services through a literature review.

Discuss the redesigned NUPOC program and the benefits of the blended learning experience for the student.

Review a preliminary examination of the feasibility of introducing an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) philosophy and approach into O&P clinical decision-making using Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) as a model.

Review a report of over 100 patients who have been fitted with this “Wrap Around” orthosis over a five year period with similar outcomes.

This is the anchor project of an open website primarily designed to improve the quality and depth of observational gait analysis instruction for the physical medicine arena.

This presentation gives a background on Blounts Disease and looks into the newest and most promising orthotic treatments of the disease.

Explore the development of this new AFO, and its results with 12 patients.

Explore the use of this technology in the management of chronic pain, patient’s improvement advantages over pain treatment methods and assess the importance of this approach vs. the traditional electrical stimulation approach.

Evaluate the effect of AFO foot-plate length on plantar pressures in adults with hemiplegia following stroke.

Discuss a five year study of a five year old male who presented with a brachial plexus injury secondary to cervical spinal fusion.

Discuss a new treatment option for treating Pectus excavatum, a disease where costocartilage abnormally grows, deforming the distal third of the sternum into a recessed position.

Discuss the background, application, statistics and feedback regarding new post amputative treatments.

Review study results where two subjects with a unilateral transtibial amputation walked both forward and backward in a gait laboratory. Gain an understanding of how a transtibial prosthesis mimics the normal human foot during backward walking.

Gain an understanding of transfemoral socket configurations that are accepted by the prosthetic community.

Discuss results of several studies where x-ray measurements have been used to identify skeletal movements, suspension effect and stability of transtibial sockets.

Review this transtibial prosthesis that is designed to be submerged in water, allowing the user to shower, go to the beach or pool, or any other water activity.

Discuss the various knees used in the US and determine the enhanced features that often go unnoticed by practitioners.

Identify specific training techniques that will enhance the use of microprocessor knees.

Review socket fitting methodology in practice for transtibial and transfemoral amputees.

The etiologies and craniofacial asymmetries associated with deformational plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis are described and illustrated in this presentation.

Focus on the severity scale developed for infants with brachycephaly. Review 500 consecutive scans of infants referred to Orthomerica for cranial remolding orthoses.

Discuss concurrent diagnoses associated with positional plagiocephaly, such as torticollis, hypotonia, cranial nerve symptoms, and benign hydrocephalus.

Focus on the value of AFO night splints. Discuss the negative effects daytime bracing can have on ambulatory patients as well as the consideration involved in bracing DMD patients after the muscle release procedures.

Discuss Apert’s Syndrome with primary focus on the orthotic and surgical interventions required throughout the lifespan of people born with this syndrome.

Review objective gait measurements of 14 stance control orthosis (SCO) users during a prospective open-enrollment six month clinical field trial.

Investigate the biomechanical and energetic effects of using a KAFO incorporating Horton’s SCOKJ on able-bodied subjects.

This study will help aid in the decision of functional orthotic management of children with spastic hemiplegia, especially those with the ability to run.

Review the results of a study of 25 patients using a new modified KAFO joint and a one-way locking hinge. Learn how it works and also hear preliminary results and patient experience.

See a demonstration of the SWASH orthosis, its functions and a couple of mini-case studies.

This is a detailed look into FES and its use in rehabilitation of people with central nervous system damage. Learn about FES abilities to improve the health and quality of life of people when used correctly.

Spinal Muscular Dystrophy is being treated successfully with good orthotic care. Learn more about some of the advances in treatment and gain a background on the SMA patient.

This presentation includes a discussion of the independent coordinates of space, degrees of freedom, kinetic chain, and joint congruence presented with ample use of unique and novel graphics.

Compare the process of normal voluntary motor control or muscle contradiction, with a superficially applied electrical stimulation and explore the benefits of applying functional stimulation.

Review results of a study to document the feasibility of a novel experimental paradigm for the selection, evaluation and individual optimization of PD-AFO characteristics.

Quantify the relative structural strength of various pylon socket attachment systems incorporated into trans-tibial prosthetic composite sockets.

The purpose of this study was to measure the function of the Össur Proprio Bionic Foot, assess its impact on gait and energy expenditure, compare it to the conventional SACH foot, and a dynamic response energy storing foot.

Learn about an alternative method of fitting the hip disarticulation but more importantly the very short transfemoral amputee. Review several case studies to see the application and results of the technique.

The objective of this study was to determine prosthetic foot angle effect on gait propulsion as part of a larger effort to scientifically relate prosthetic component/ alignment to function.

Measure the geometric and stress/strain differences, evaluate differences in functional performance and assess the perceived effects on comfort, function, and health related quality of life when using prosthetic designs for transtibial amputees.

Compare the actual measurements from hand casting and laser scanning. Assess if laser scanning is a viable, accurate and consistent form of residual limb replication.

Compare two different variable-dampening knee prostheses, the magnetorheological-based Rheo Knee Össur) and the hydraulic based-C-Leg (Otto Bock) to the mechanically-passive, hydraulic-based Mauch SNS (Össur). Focus on metabolic cost at a self-selected walking speed. Kinetic and kinematic data comparison was also completed.

Discuss the mobility and number of steps per day a person with a prosthetic limb is able to achieve. Review how this can assist in better addressing solutions to sedentary lifestyles and flaws in socket and prosthetic designs that prevent people with lower limb amputation from being more physically active.

Consider new upper limb technological options for a “difficult to fit” patient population.

Discuss prosthetic experience with the Otto Bock Electric Elbow since the initiation of beta-site testing in the summer of 2004.

See the feedback that is possible with the technology of a new electric hand including sensors of grip force, shear force, and relatively simple feedback mechanisms.

Discuss findings of the preliminary study of 40+ upper extremity patients fitted with the Animated Control System. There have been over 450+ patients fitted over the last 4 ½ years.

Review occupational therapy pre-prosthetic goals and treatment strategy, the referral process and resources for your local OT’s.

Review the latest developments in electric partial fittings and application to clinical practice.

The purpose of this presentation is to describe an alternative fitting technique for the wrist disarticulation amputee.

Discuss a unique prosthetic device which has five individually powered digits to provide the user with a device that actually looks and acts like a real human hand.

Discuss the problem that prosthetists are faced with regarding choosing body-powered technology. There are concerns over the choice between a voluntary-opening (VO) and voluntary-closing (VC) protocol for prehensor control.

Discuss the process of implementing an occupational therapy program based on this theory.

Review historic and current prosthetic treatment for individuals with thumb amputations.

Determine whether a transhumeral amputee would benefit from an external powered elbow, or a hybrid elbow.

Discuss how a Remote Consulting Model (RCM) can assist in the treatment of patients in the delivery and post delivery of care.

Discuss highlights of several case studies of multiple high level patients fit with the Dynamic Arm (Electric Elbow) between April and December 2006. The patients, for the most part, are first-time prosthetic wearers and the level of limb loss is shoulder disarticulation or higher.

Consider a seven-step prosthetic treatment protocol that has been successfully implemented in over six interscapular thoracic cases at UCSF.